Robert Rhys Howells, 62, of Belvidere, died Friday, May 23, 2008, in Biltmore Rehabilitation and Nursing Center following a lengthy illness. Robert was born August 3, 1945, in Medford, MA, the son of Clarence B. and Eleanor Gray Howells. Bob was a long time resident of the Belvidere/Rockford area. He graduated from Rockford College and then received an MS Degree in social work from the University of Illinois. After working for H. Douglas Singer Mental Health Center and for the State of Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy in Rockford he began remodeling homes as an independent business owner. He then followed his passion for the outdoors by making it accessible to all who were willing to discover what Boone County has to offer by acquiring land for both the Belvidere Park District and Boone County Conservation District. He assisted in the development of Hickory Bill's Island and Red Horse Bend canoe launches, the Kishwaukee Riverfront Path, and a new park called Bob's Park bounded by Locust, Nebraska, and Meadow Streets and Warren Avenue. Bob master planned the Kishwaukee River Canoe Trail from McHenry line to Cherry Valley in 1995 which currently has 6 launch/take-out locations. He was active in government affairs as a member of the Boone County Zoning Board and served as chair in 1989. He also served on the Belvidere Planning Commission from 1990 to 2004. In addition he volunteered his time for many projects in the area. He was a founding member of the Parks and Conservation Foundation of Belvidere and Boone County and helped beautify the Rockford YWCA for which they won a landscaping award.Survivors include a multitude of friends in the area, including but not limited to, Karen Drager, Mary Marquardt, David Sliktas, Mark Luthin, Ken Swanson, John Cook, Dan Roddewig, Dan Kane, Wendell Johnson, Sue Gritzmacher, Craig Ludat and the McDonald's breakfast group. Special thanks to all who donated money to provide Bob a power chair, TV, cable and telephone while he resided at Biltmore Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. Bob was truly grateful to his friends in the Belvidere area. Family survivors include a brother, Benjamin D. Howells of Flint, MI; a sister, Lucy Ann Dahlberg of Lakewood, OH, and many nieces, a nephew, great nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents and brother John.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name to the Parks and Conservation Foundation, Bob's Fund, 1006 West Lincoln Avenue, P.O. Box 463, Belvidere, Illinois, 61008.